The Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Counselling Therapy.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs there are five levels of desires or basic needs that motivate people described (Fiest & Fiest, 2009, pg. 280). Starting with the most basic needs for survival the levels are physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization (Fiest & Fiest, pg. 280). As one need is met an attempt is made to achieve the next level. If one is able to reach what is known as self-actualization, the highest level, values such as truth, justice, beauty simplicity, individuality, balance, and harmony are usually greatly respected (Fiest & Fiest, pg. 283 and McMinn, 1996). As McMinn points out that these values are extraordinarily like the fruit of the Spirit as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. If one has attained

The decision to take this course was rooted in a deepening interest in psychotherapy, self–development, the welfare of other people and in a desire to gain a theoretical base to enrich my current arts and health practice.

Current literature suggests that the practising of cognitive therapy techniques on oneself is a valuable and useful way to learn about cognitive therapy (Beck, 1995; Padesky & Greenberger, 1995; Padesky, 1996). Padesky (1996, p. 288), for instance has written: ‘‘To fully understand the process of the therapy, there is no substitute for using cognitive therapy methods on oneself “. Beck (1995, p. 312) advises readers ‘‘to gain experience with the basic techniques of cognitive therapy by practising them yourself before doing so with patients . . . trying the techniques yourself allows you to correct

The British Association for Counselling’s Code of Ethics and Practice for Counsellors states that ‘Counselling may be concerned with developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal insight and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or improving relationships with others’ (BACP Ethical Framework).

From the time of the advent of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory and therapy until now, psychologists have searched for new and better ways to both understand and treat the human psyche. Many psychologists have spent their lives analyzing the complexities of human thought, behavior, and interactions with societal influences in order to find new ways to guide humans towards a more fulfilling human experience. Throughout time, various theories and models of therapy have emerged, each with their strengths and weaknesses in their efforts to help humanity live more fulfilling lives. Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, gestalt, behavior, cognitive, cognitive behavior (CBT), reality, feminist, postmodern, and family systems approaches have all made important contributions towards the evolution of psychological theory and therapy. One of the most widely accepted and practiced forms of theory and therapy in today’s world of psychology is CBT. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy has a rich and storied history, contains more inherent strengths than weaknesses, and provides effective treatment for a variety of psychological conditions.

Carl Rogers, Born in Chicago in 1902 as the 4th of 6 children in a strict Fundamentalist Christian household.

Theoretical frameworks in counselling offer guiding perspectives and direction informing professional practice. As a practitioner I am drawn to post-modernist approaches that position the human experience as a social construction, and reality as a result of perception, language and culture ( ). Embedded however within that social construction for me is the necessity to consider the broader social and political climate and issues of power that may play a role in the human experience. As a counsellor, I would like to align with a therapeutic approach that values the diversity and experience of multiple realities, and that supports clients in finding their power both within and outside the counselling session. Embracing the client-counsellor

Can a humanistic model of counselling be integrated with a cognitive (or cognitive – behavioural) one? Discuss with reference to Rogers and either Beck or Egan.

Examining others can provide for great introspection, which allows for the constant personal reflection needed in the education field. Having the opportunity to observe the onlookers' behavior in response to

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a major area of interest within the field of counselling. The cognitive behavioural approach has made significant contributions towards counselling over the years. As a result of this the cognitive behavioural approach has become more widely practiced (Dobson and Dobson, 2009). Despite these contributions, cognitive behavioural therapy has experienced a few limited cons as well as effective pros. In spite of this, previous studies have provided evidence, which confirms the effectiveness of the cognitive behavioural approach, to be higher than any other approach (McLeod, 2013). This essay, will examine and critically discuss the various pros and cons that exist within the cognitive behavioural approach. The objective of this essay is to, demonstrate an in depth exploration of the cognitive behavioural approach to the treatment of anxiety. The essay will be organised in the following way. The first section will give a brief overview of the cognitive behavioural approach. The next sections will then go on to critically discuss and compare the limited and ineffective contributions to the effective contributions cognitive behavioural therapy has made towards counselling anxiety. With particular reference to how cognitive behavioural therapy for women with anxiety during and after pregnancy. For the purpose of this essay the abbreviation CBT will be used, as it represents Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

The aim of this assignment is to compare and contrast two theories or theorists of counselling from psychodynamic, humanistic or cognitive behavioural traditions and also to assess their strengths and weaknesses. This essay will focus on exploring the contrasting ideas and approaches of Carl Rogers who is a key figure associated with the person-centered approach and Fritz Perls who developed Gestalt therapy. Although they are both regarded as humanistic counsellors, they share a very different approach when working with clients. I have chosen to analyse these two theorists because of their contrasting styles, in particular my curiosity was sparked after viewing both Perls and Rogers sessions with Gloria. I found it fascinating how such different styles could still be successful in therapy. In particular fritz perls style really grabbed my attention as at first, I was really put off by his seemingly rude demeanour. However, after reading information on gestalt therapy and the ideas behind it I started to understand how it works.

In the interpretivist paradigm, observation is regarded as an invaluable method of data collection because it is a great source of primary data (Yin, 2011). According to DeWalt and DeWalt (2002) participant observation allows the researcher to learn about the activities of the participants being studied in the natural setting through observing and participating in those activities. Moreover, direct observation of activities assists the researcher to learn about aspects that the participants are either unaware of or are unwilling to discuss in interviews (Stake, 2010). DeWalt and DeWalt (2002) also noted that a good observer should have an open and nonjudgmental attitude and be able to observe and listen carefully.

For this essay there will be a critical evaluation of the counselling approaches and skills that are used which can guide the practice of education professionals and benefit relationships with children/ young people in supporting their social and emotional well-being. The approaches that will be looked at and compared are the Person-centred approach and the Psychodynamic approach. The approaches will be discussed and linked to the use in an educational context by teachers with children and young people. The strengths and weaknesses of these approaches will also be examined. It is important for teacher to support children and young people’s social and emotional development right for the start of their educational experiences in the early years. The statutory frame work for the early years published by the department for education in 2014 makes sure that every practitioner follows by law the learning and development requirements of every child. The DFE 2014 suggests educational programs have to include activities and experiences involving the children as suggested: personal social and emotional development entails assisting children to develop an encouraging view of themselves, and others; to make positive relationships and develop respect for others, progress on their social skills and acquire the skill how to deal and control their feelings, to know how to behaviour correctly in groups and to have self confidence in what they can do. From this practitioners can pick up on

How does one observe while simultaneously participating? It is an awkward position for the researcher to be in—the very nature of the term “participant observation” is at odds with each other; therefore the author must keep a degree of distance in order to fully observe and record their observations. At the same time, the author must do as the locals do, which is: it is very important for the researcher to connect with members of the population. As the researcher gets to know the members of a group he or she will be studying, it is important that they learn to make friends quickly so they can be accepted in the community and obtain quality research in the form of observation, interviews, and accurately record field notes. Additionally, the researcher will have to take all their personal thoughts, interviews, and observations and organize the data with an eye towards their own biases and subjectivities. These are some of the positive aspects of participation observation, but there are many potential drawbacks as well.

DeMUNCK and SOBO (1998) provide several advantages of using participant observation over other methods of data collection. These include that it affords access to the "backstage culture" (p.43); it allows for richly detailed description, which they interpret to mean that one's goal of describing "behaviors, intentions, situations, and events as understood by one's informants" is highlighted (p.43); and it provides opportunities for viewing or participating in unscheduled events. DeWALT and DeWALT (2002) add that it improves the quality of data collection and interpretation and facilitates the development of new research questions or hypotheses (p.8). [13]